Five biggest questions UM must answer in 2015

1. Who will protect Brad Kaaya?

Bruce Thorson / USA Today Sports

The Hurricanes have a talented quarterback who established himself as one of the best young signal callers in the nation last year. But with former starting offensive linemen Jon Feliciano, Shane McDermott and Ereck Flowers all in NFL training camps now, who will help keep Kaaya on his feet?

Former Cypress Bay standout Danny Isidora started all 13 games at right guard last year and is the most experienced returning lineman for Miami. The Hurricanes are going to need to settle on a rotation quickly and young players like Nick Linder and Kc McDermott, who got some time last season, are going to have to continue maturing quickly. Others that need to step up for Miami include Trevor Darling, Jahair Jones, Alex Gall, and Sunny Odogwu are also going to have to find their stride and help offensive line coach Art Kehoe set on a rotation sooner rather than later.

The Hurricanes have a talented quarterback who established himself as one of the best young signal callers in the nation last year. But with former starting offensive linemen Jon Feliciano, Shane McDermott and Ereck Flowers all in NFL training camps now, who will help keep Kaaya on his feet?

Former Cypress Bay standout Danny Isidora started all 13 games at right guard last year and is the most experienced returning lineman for Miami. The Hurricanes are going to need to settle on a rotation quickly and young players like Nick Linder and Kc McDermott, who got some time last season, are going to have to continue maturing quickly. Others that need to step up for Miami include Trevor Darling, Jahair Jones, Alex Gall, and Sunny Odogwu are also going to have to find their stride and help offensive line coach Art Kehoe set on a rotation sooner rather than later.

Duke Johnson left Miami as the Hurricanes’ career leader in both rushing yards and all-purpose yards. Last season, he accounted for a team-high 1,652 rushing yards and was the team’s second-leading receiver with 38 catches out of the backfield accounting for another 421 yards. Before camp, Golden said he was still unsure if Miami would look to a single back to try and fill the void left by Johnson’s departure or if the Hurricanes would ask a committee of backs to get the job done. Incoming freshman Mark Walton has already earned plenty of praise for his work in the off-season program and could make an impact early, along with returning backs Joe Yearby and Trayone Gray. The Hurricanes did lose back Gus Edwards to a season-ending foot injury, but Golden is confident the running backs group will still be productive.

Duke Johnson left Miami as the Hurricanes’ career leader in both rushing yards and all-purpose yards. Last season, he accounted for a team-high 1,652 rushing yards and was the team’s second-leading receiver with 38 catches out of the backfield accounting for another 421 yards. Before camp, Golden said he was still unsure if Miami would look to a single back to try and fill the void left by Johnson’s departure or if the Hurricanes would ask a committee of backs to get the job done. Incoming freshman Mark Walton has already earned plenty of praise for his work in the off-season program and could make an impact early, along with returning backs Joe Yearby and Trayone Gray. The Hurricanes did lose back Gus Edwards to a season-ending foot injury, but Golden is confident the running backs group will still be productive.